Local news is airing a new story of the Tennessee House sub-committee having hearings on our Tennessee helmet law. Do helmets make riding a motorcycle safer? Well how dumb, obviously it helps when you crash. It restricts sight and hearing while up-right. So what should one think?
First let me say I have been a rider since 1961, but I try to think beyond the two minute sound bite sometimes. In an effort to do that, what if the state now decides to make us all wear bullet proof vests? Needless to say it would help if we were shot but how about going to the beach or any other activity you can think of.
The issue and the principles are the same. I do not want my government telling me how to live my life. For me. I prefer to be responsible for my own self, whether on my bike, in my car, or just writing this comment.
Every time the government tries to socially engineer me by protecting me, it steals one more freedom from me. In case I have confused you with my wandering I am not for or against helmets. I am for the freedom to choose and be responsible for my own health and welfare. My government is too big and focused on the wrong issues.
Dennis Allison
Ooltewah
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It's not a matter of making riding a motorcycle safer. It's a matter of making it cheaper for insurance companies to handle claims.
Folks may think that, if they wreck, and kill or injure themselves, it should be no-one's business but their own. Insurance companies see it differently.
When you buy insurance, you are betting. The insurance company is the casino, and you are the gambler.
Unlike other forms of gambling, you're betting against yourself. When you pay your insurance premium, you're betting that you will wreck, get hurt, or be killed. The insurance company is betting that you won't.
If you do wreck, the insurance company has to pay. More serious injuries cost more. This is why insurance companies hire lobbyists. That's why helmet laws exist.
It's the same with seatbelt laws, anti-smoking laws, and bans on trans fat.
Kevin Hargis
Chattanooga
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Mr. Allison's assertions that helmet laws for motocyclists intrudes on both personal liberty and safety.. My advice to Mr. Allison, is self pay for insurance and ride your motorcycle in shorts, clogs, long hair, beard and whatever else the writer suggests are intrusions.
I wouldn't care one whit, Mr. Allison, but pay for your own bills if you put the bike down or heaven forbid, hurt someone. This is a solution to many that feel they are being intruded upon and that is stop taking from the government.
Robert J. Brooks
Chattanooga